The best river, stream, or creek camping near Elk River

·
99% (501)

Top-rated campgrounds

Stone Creek Farm

2. Stone Creek Farm

99%
(244)
43mi from Elk River · 6 sites · Tents, Lodging · Taylors Falls, MN
Situated on 36 acres, this working farm is 2 miles West of Taylors Falls. Dan bought this property with the intention of growing stone fruits (plums, peaches, apricots and cherries) using sustainable and organic practices because health and wellness matter to them! They are still in the process of improving their property. Many of the building on the property were in poor condition, including the old barn foundation which is now one of Dan and Danielle favorite places to keep cool in the summer. After they had excavated all the debris (which took years) they were able to transform it with gardens and fire pit for all to enjoy. They love sharing what they have been blessed with! They hope you enjoy their place as much as they do! Feel free to ask them to show you around or even get your hands dirty with them as they plant or harvest.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$50
 / night
Spirits of the Forest

6. Spirits of the Forest

100%
(66)
45mi from Elk River · 13 sites · Lodging · Mora, MN
How we ended up in Knife Lake Township on 81 acres of forested land. We began looking for land in late fall of 1996. After several months of searching, we happened upon a tiny newspaper ad for 81 acres of land described as "Beautiful, secluded, mature hardwoods, tall pines w/creek & beaver pond, many gd bldg sites & great hunting". We toured the property, covered in almost two feet of snow, on a snowmobile in January 1997 and fell in love with it. We have been stewards of this piece of land for 25 years and are still enamored of its beauty and diversity. We are lulled to sleep by the sounds of owls and bullfrogs and the distant yipping of coyotes. Spring through fall we are often awakened by the rattling, honking of sandhill cranes and a wide variety of bird songs. Besides deer and lots of small critters, we've seen bear, bobcat, rafters of turkeys, quail, grouse, pheasant, owls, hawks and eagles. The sky, on a clear night, is breathtaking. We have always visualized sharing the land with others, so come and immerse yourself in this bountiful space.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night
Lazy River Landing

7. Lazy River Landing

96%
(13)
39mi from Elk River · 1 site · Tent, RV · Braham, MN
Enjoy a peaceful escape on our private 1-acre lot, perfect for tent camping or RVs. The site includes an electric hook-up, outhouse, and a dedicated fire pit for campfires under the stars. Surrounded by woods on either side, it offers a quiet, semi-secluded spot for nature lovers. A short trail (400 feet or a little over a football field) leads through the forest to the Snake River, where you’ll find a second fire pit with chairs, solar lighting, and a private dock that is share with just our cabin and then campsite. If you are tenting, you can tent at the river but do not drive on the trail except for atvs. The river is great for fishing, swimming, canoeing, or kayaking, and can accommodate small boats. Multiple public boat landings are located up and down the river for easy access. The property lines are outlined in the overview picture. Please do not go to the west of the trail to provide ample space for privacy with our neighbors. The red on the map is the camping area with electricity and outhouse. Our personal log cabin is the blue dot but there is a significant tree line in between. If we are there, we are happy to give you a tour. The blue line is the trail. The white area is our property on the river and available for tent only or to hang out for the day if you choose to camp up top. The purple area is where the goats are busy eating. Come and visit them! While the site does not have running water, you’ll be camping right next to our family cabin, and we’re happy to help with anything you might need. We also have friendly goats on the property that guests are welcome to visit! There’s also plenty to explore nearby. Just minutes away, Braham offers a quirky “hole-in-the-wall” bowling alley and some charming local shops. Head north to Pine City for more options, including restaurants, a larger grocery store, and additional shopping. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Snake River Trading Post, a Minnesota historical site. And if you’re in the mood for a local treat, Sapsucker Farms is a nearby cidery open on weekends, often hosting live music, food trucks, and hiking trails. Ask your hosts for even more ideas—they’re happy to share local favorites!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$31
 / night
Tent site looking East down Snake River

8. O'Dalaigh Hideaway

100%
(44)
50mi from Elk River · 1 site · Tent · Rock Creek, MN
Note: Site does not have an assigned address but the driveway is next to our cabin on the North side of the Snake River in Pine City MN, NOT Rock Creek MN. The site is a vacant lot and has the better river view and experience as its a small peninsula that juts out to the river with rapids. There is a swimming area right next to the campsite or feel free to jump into the rapids if you want a rush. River is not deep most of the year and there is fishing right there as well, mostly large and small mouth bass. There is parking off the road and a short walk to the campsite, just follow the sounds of the river. A small wagon is provided to help with getting gear down to the river tent site. New this year (2025) is a composting toilet along the trail to the tent site. It uses a "separator" where #1 goes back to the earth (as it is sterile and liquid) and #2 goes into a bucket and is covered with wood chips. There is also a standing urinal for men if desired. If you would prefer to use a pit toilet there is one on the property with directions marked with a sign. It is a farther walk however, about 100 yards from the tent site and on the cabin property near the driveway. If you want something even more convenient, feel free to bring your own. Firewood is available for sale onsite or feel free to clean up dead wood lying along the trail at no cost, note that it is more than likely freshly cut and wet but will burn if the fire is hot enough. The tent site is right next to rapids on the Snake river. If you struggle sleeping to the sound of rushing water, this may not be for you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Sandhill Sleeper

9. Sandhill Sleeper

100%
(3)
50mi from Elk River · 1 site · Lodging · Grantsburg, WI
A birder and nature lover's paradise located on the banks of the Trade River. Spend the weekend in a 30 foot, eco-friendly, rehabbed vintage Mallard Trailer. Rebuilt using many recycled materials, electrified with solar panels and decorated with creative flare, you are certain to enjoy your stay in- and outside of the Sandhill Sleeper. Inside, you will find room for up to 4 people to sleep (one double bed and table nook converts to bed), a kitchenette with water and a two-burner propane stove top. Outside, enjoy the wood-fired sauna built for two as well as an updated composting privy equipped with a solar radio and lights! Hike to the river and take a dip or anchor your floaty to experience the nirvana of the "infinity float" as the birds fly over your head. Our farm is also home to a small flock of egg laying chickens, 4 brush management goats, The Royal Tenenbaums, 2 cats, Frau and Petunia, and many wild birds and animals including black bear, bobcat, fisher, raccoon, otters, mink, weasels. We will have farm fresh eggs, honey and garden fresh veggies available for cash during your stay. Also home to The Beez Kneez honey farm, you will truly experience the bird and the bees. We teach classes on Sundays. If you want to sign up and suit up! www.thebeezkneezdelivery.com/cbk ***Please, keep a 50 foot distance from bee hives unless you are in a class. ***No dogs allowed.
Potable water
Toilets
Trash
from 
$100
 / night
99% (501)

Top-rated campgrounds

Stone Creek Farm

2. Stone Creek Farm

99%
(244)
43mi from Elk River · 6 sites · Tents, Lodging · Taylors Falls, MN
Situated on 36 acres, this working farm is 2 miles West of Taylors Falls. Dan bought this property with the intention of growing stone fruits (plums, peaches, apricots and cherries) using sustainable and organic practices because health and wellness matter to them! They are still in the process of improving their property. Many of the building on the property were in poor condition, including the old barn foundation which is now one of Dan and Danielle favorite places to keep cool in the summer. After they had excavated all the debris (which took years) they were able to transform it with gardens and fire pit for all to enjoy. They love sharing what they have been blessed with! They hope you enjoy their place as much as they do! Feel free to ask them to show you around or even get your hands dirty with them as they plant or harvest.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$50
 / night
Spirits of the Forest

6. Spirits of the Forest

100%
(66)
45mi from Elk River · 13 sites · Lodging · Mora, MN
How we ended up in Knife Lake Township on 81 acres of forested land. We began looking for land in late fall of 1996. After several months of searching, we happened upon a tiny newspaper ad for 81 acres of land described as "Beautiful, secluded, mature hardwoods, tall pines w/creek & beaver pond, many gd bldg sites & great hunting". We toured the property, covered in almost two feet of snow, on a snowmobile in January 1997 and fell in love with it. We have been stewards of this piece of land for 25 years and are still enamored of its beauty and diversity. We are lulled to sleep by the sounds of owls and bullfrogs and the distant yipping of coyotes. Spring through fall we are often awakened by the rattling, honking of sandhill cranes and a wide variety of bird songs. Besides deer and lots of small critters, we've seen bear, bobcat, rafters of turkeys, quail, grouse, pheasant, owls, hawks and eagles. The sky, on a clear night, is breathtaking. We have always visualized sharing the land with others, so come and immerse yourself in this bountiful space.
Pets
Potable water
Toilets
from 
$60
 / night
Lazy River Landing

7. Lazy River Landing

96%
(13)
39mi from Elk River · 1 site · Tent, RV · Braham, MN
Enjoy a peaceful escape on our private 1-acre lot, perfect for tent camping or RVs. The site includes an electric hook-up, outhouse, and a dedicated fire pit for campfires under the stars. Surrounded by woods on either side, it offers a quiet, semi-secluded spot for nature lovers. A short trail (400 feet or a little over a football field) leads through the forest to the Snake River, where you’ll find a second fire pit with chairs, solar lighting, and a private dock that is share with just our cabin and then campsite. If you are tenting, you can tent at the river but do not drive on the trail except for atvs. The river is great for fishing, swimming, canoeing, or kayaking, and can accommodate small boats. Multiple public boat landings are located up and down the river for easy access. The property lines are outlined in the overview picture. Please do not go to the west of the trail to provide ample space for privacy with our neighbors. The red on the map is the camping area with electricity and outhouse. Our personal log cabin is the blue dot but there is a significant tree line in between. If we are there, we are happy to give you a tour. The blue line is the trail. The white area is our property on the river and available for tent only or to hang out for the day if you choose to camp up top. The purple area is where the goats are busy eating. Come and visit them! While the site does not have running water, you’ll be camping right next to our family cabin, and we’re happy to help with anything you might need. We also have friendly goats on the property that guests are welcome to visit! There’s also plenty to explore nearby. Just minutes away, Braham offers a quirky “hole-in-the-wall” bowling alley and some charming local shops. Head north to Pine City for more options, including restaurants, a larger grocery store, and additional shopping. History buffs will enjoy visiting the Snake River Trading Post, a Minnesota historical site. And if you’re in the mood for a local treat, Sapsucker Farms is a nearby cidery open on weekends, often hosting live music, food trucks, and hiking trails. Ask your hosts for even more ideas—they’re happy to share local favorites!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$31
 / night
Tent site looking East down Snake River

8. O'Dalaigh Hideaway

100%
(44)
50mi from Elk River · 1 site · Tent · Rock Creek, MN
Note: Site does not have an assigned address but the driveway is next to our cabin on the North side of the Snake River in Pine City MN, NOT Rock Creek MN. The site is a vacant lot and has the better river view and experience as its a small peninsula that juts out to the river with rapids. There is a swimming area right next to the campsite or feel free to jump into the rapids if you want a rush. River is not deep most of the year and there is fishing right there as well, mostly large and small mouth bass. There is parking off the road and a short walk to the campsite, just follow the sounds of the river. A small wagon is provided to help with getting gear down to the river tent site. New this year (2025) is a composting toilet along the trail to the tent site. It uses a "separator" where #1 goes back to the earth (as it is sterile and liquid) and #2 goes into a bucket and is covered with wood chips. There is also a standing urinal for men if desired. If you would prefer to use a pit toilet there is one on the property with directions marked with a sign. It is a farther walk however, about 100 yards from the tent site and on the cabin property near the driveway. If you want something even more convenient, feel free to bring your own. Firewood is available for sale onsite or feel free to clean up dead wood lying along the trail at no cost, note that it is more than likely freshly cut and wet but will burn if the fire is hot enough. The tent site is right next to rapids on the Snake river. If you struggle sleeping to the sound of rushing water, this may not be for you!
Pets
Toilets
Campfires
from 
$20
 / night
Sandhill Sleeper

9. Sandhill Sleeper

100%
(3)
50mi from Elk River · 1 site · Lodging · Grantsburg, WI
A birder and nature lover's paradise located on the banks of the Trade River. Spend the weekend in a 30 foot, eco-friendly, rehabbed vintage Mallard Trailer. Rebuilt using many recycled materials, electrified with solar panels and decorated with creative flare, you are certain to enjoy your stay in- and outside of the Sandhill Sleeper. Inside, you will find room for up to 4 people to sleep (one double bed and table nook converts to bed), a kitchenette with water and a two-burner propane stove top. Outside, enjoy the wood-fired sauna built for two as well as an updated composting privy equipped with a solar radio and lights! Hike to the river and take a dip or anchor your floaty to experience the nirvana of the "infinity float" as the birds fly over your head. Our farm is also home to a small flock of egg laying chickens, 4 brush management goats, The Royal Tenenbaums, 2 cats, Frau and Petunia, and many wild birds and animals including black bear, bobcat, fisher, raccoon, otters, mink, weasels. We will have farm fresh eggs, honey and garden fresh veggies available for cash during your stay. Also home to The Beez Kneez honey farm, you will truly experience the bird and the bees. We teach classes on Sundays. If you want to sign up and suit up! www.thebeezkneezdelivery.com/cbk ***Please, keep a 50 foot distance from bee hives unless you are in a class. ***No dogs allowed.
Potable water
Toilets
Trash
from 
$100
 / night

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Top-rated campgrounds reviewed by the Hipcamp community.

Public campgrounds near Elk River

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Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field
Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field